U.S. patent application number 14/617914 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-13 for adjustable cinch clip.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel P. Cedrone. Invention is credited to Daniel P. Cedrone.
Application Number | 20150224009 14/617914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53773965 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150224009 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cedrone; Daniel P. |
August 13, 2015 |
ADJUSTABLE CINCH CLIP
Abstract
An adjustable cinch clip includes a clip unit that defines a
support band opening for receiving a support band. The clip unit
also defines a pinching channel substantially adjacent to the
support band opening. The pinching channel is configured for
frictionally securing the support band to the clip unit.
Inventors: |
Cedrone; Daniel P.;
(Huntersville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cedrone; Daniel P. |
Huntersville |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53773965 |
Appl. No.: |
14/617914 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61936950 |
Feb 7, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/845 ;
24/129A; 24/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/3927 20150115;
F16M 13/04 20130101; Y10T 24/3413 20150115; A61F 5/3715
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61G 13/12 20060101
A61G013/12; F16M 13/04 20060101 F16M013/04; F16L 3/13 20060101
F16L003/13 |
Claims
1. An adjustable cinch clip, said clip comprising: a clip unit
defining (i) a support band opening for receiving a support band,
and (ii) a pinching channel substantially adjacent to said support
band opening for frictionally securing the support band to said
clip unit.
2. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 1, wherein said clip unit
defines a support band slot for receiving an end portion of the
support band.
3. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 2, wherein said support band
opening extends the entire length of the clip unit.
4. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 3, wherein: said support band
opening and said support band slot are substantially parallel; said
support band slot is less than seventy-five percent of the length
of the support band opening.
5. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 1, wherein said clip unit
defines a belt opening for receiving a belt configured for securing
about a user's waist.
6. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 1, wherein said support band
opening is substantially cylindrical.
7. An adjustable support apparatus for a leg, said apparatus
comprising: an adjustable belt for positioning around the waist of
a user; a clip unit defining a belt opening for receiving said
belt; a support band adjustably connected to said clip unit; and a
connector attached to said support band for connecting said support
band to a user's leg; wherein said clip unit defines (i) a support
band opening for receiving the support band, and (ii) a pinching
channel substantially adjacent to said support band opening for
frictionally securing the support band to said clip unit.
8. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 7, wherein said clip unit
defines a support band slot for receiving an end portion of the
support band.
9. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 8, wherein said support band
opening extends the entire length of the clip unit.
10. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 9, wherein: said support
band opening and said support band slot are substantially parallel;
said support band slot is less than seventy-five percent of the
length of the support band opening.
11. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 7, wherein said clip unit
defines a belt opening for receiving a belt configured for securing
about a user's waist.
12. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 7, wherein said support band
opening is substantially cylindrical.
13. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 7, wherein said support band
comprises an elastic material.
14. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 7, wherein said support band
comprises a rope.
15. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 7, wherein said connector
comprises a strap for positioning around a user's leg.
16. The adjustable cinch clip of claim 7, wherein said connector
comprises a ring for connecting to a walking boot.
17. An adjustable support apparatus for a leg, said apparatus
comprising: an adjustable belt for positioning around the waist of
a user; a clip unit defining a belt opening for receiving said
belt; a support band adjustably connected to said clip unit; and a
connector attached to said support band for connecting said support
band to a user's leg; wherein said clip unit defines (i) a support
band opening for receiving the support band, (ii) a pinching
channel substantially adjacent to said support band opening for
frictionally securing the support band to said clip unit, (iii) a
support band slot for receiving an end portion of the support band;
wherein said support band opening extends the entire length of the
clip unit; wherein said support band opening and said support band
slot are substantially parallel; and wherein said support band slot
is less than seventy-five percent of the length of the support band
opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from provisional
U.S. Patent Application No. 61/936,950 filed Feb. 7, 2014, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an adjustable cinch clip
for securing a supporting band. The adjustable cinch clip may be
use in connection with a belt and support band for supporting a
leg. The disclosure further relates to an adjustable leg
support.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Persons suffering a leg injury are sometimes unable to bear
weight on the injured leg. Pain or instability in the leg may
prevent the person from bearing weight on the leg and/or the
healing process may be promoted by eliminating or reducing the
bearing of weight on the injured leg.
[0004] Typically, an ambulatory aid device such as a crutch(es),
cane, or walker is used to assist the person in walking while
allowing the person to avoid putting their weight on the injured
leg. While these devices are effective at assisting with walking,
they require the injured person to keep the injured leg suspended
from the walking surface. Typically, the person bends the leg at
the knee to keep the foot from touching the walking surface.
Particularly in instances where the person is fitted with a cast,
brace or other stabilizing device which tends to add weight to the
injured leg, holding the leg in a position that keeps it from
touching the walking surface can strain the person's muscles and
interfere with proper body alignment. Furthermore, holding the leg
in generally the same position in an effort to keep it from
touching the walking surface generally does not exercise the
person's leg muscles in a way that promotes healing.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus that allows a
person having a leg injury to relax the injured leg while crutches
or similar ambulatory aids are in use. In particular, a need exists
for an adjustable support apparatus for a leg and an adjustable
cinch clip for the adjustable support apparatus.
SUMMARY
[0006] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present disclosure embraces
an adjustable cinch clip. The adjustable cinch clip includes a clip
unit. The clip unit defines (i) a support band opening for
receiving a support band, and (ii) a pinching channel substantially
adjacent to the support band opening for frictionally securing the
support band to the clip unit.
[0007] In another embodiment, the clip unit defines a support band
slot for receiving an end portion of the support band.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the support band opening extends
the entire length of the clip unit.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, the support band opening and the
support band slot are substantially parallel and the support band
slot is less than seventy-five percent of the length of the support
band opening.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the clip unit defines a belt
opening for receiving a belt that is configured for securing about
a user's waist.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the support band opening is
substantially cylindrical.
[0012] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure embraces an
adjustable support apparatus for a leg. The adjustable support
apparatus includes an adjustable belt for positioning around the
waist of a user. The adjustable support apparatus also includes a
clip unit defining a belt opening for receiving the belt. The
adjustable support apparatus also includes a support band
adjustably connected to the clip unit. The adjustable support
apparatus also includes a connector attached to the support band
for connecting the support band to a user's leg. The clip unit
defines (i) a support band opening for receiving the support band,
and (ii) a pinching channel substantially adjacent to said support
band opening for frictionally securing the support band to said
clip unit.
[0013] The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other
exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the disclosure, and the
manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained
within the following detailed description and its accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an adjustable cinch
clip according to the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of an adjustable cinch clip according
to the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an adjustable cinch clip
according to the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an adjustable cinch
clip according to the present disclosure having exemplary belt and
support band secured thereto.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view of an adjustable support apparatus
being worn by a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present disclosure embraces an adjustable cinch clip.
The adjustable cinch clip may be used to secure a support band,
rope, cord, ligature or similar elongated object. The cinch clip
may be used for securing a support band to a belt. The cinch clip
may also be used to adjust the length of the supporting section of
the support band.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, and adjustable cinch clip 10 is
shown. The adjustable cinch clip 10 is configured for use in
connection with a belt (e.g., and adjustable belt) and a support
band that supports a leg. The adjustable cinch clip 10 includes a
clip unit 12. Typically, the clip unit 12 is substantially
rectangular. The clip unit 12 may take a different shape. The clip
unit 12 has a front portion 14 and a back portion 16.
[0021] The back portion 16 of the adjustable cinch clip 10 defines
a belt opening 18 for receiving a belt. Typically, the belt opening
18 is vertically elongated. The belt opening 18 is configured to
receive a belt for releasably attaching the clip unit 12 to the
belt. Typically, the belt is slidably disposed within the belt
opening 18 such that the position of the cinch clip 10 can be
adjusted horizontally along the user's waist while the belt remains
substantially in position around the user's waist.
[0022] The cinch clip 10 is not limited to use with a belt. In an
alternative embodiment not pictured in the figures, in lieu of a
belt opening, the clip unit 12 may include a connecting member for
connecting the clip unit 12 to a surface. The connecting member may
be integral with the clip unit 12, or it may be attached to the
clip unit 12. The connecting member may comprise a fastener, an
adhesive, a clamp a ligature, a magnet, a hook and loop fastener,
or any other means suitable for attaching the clip unit to a
surface. The surface may include a floor, a boat deck, a wall, a
roof, footwear, or any other surface suitable for attachment to the
adjustable cinch clip 10.
[0023] The clip unit 12 defines a support band opening 20. The
support band opening 20 is configured for receiving a support band.
The support band opening 20 typically extends the entire length of
the clip unit such that a support band can be slidably inserted
into one end of the clip unit 12 and withdrawn from other end of
the clip unit 12. The clip unit 12 may define a plurality of
support band openings 20. Typically, one of the plurality of
support band openings 20 (e.g., a first support band opening) is
configured to receive a first end portion of the support band.
Typically, a different one of the plurality of support band
openings 20 (e.g., a second support band opening) is configured to
receive a second end portion of the support band. In other words,
each of the support band openings 20 are configured to receive and
end portion of the support band. Typically, each end portion of the
support band is positioned inside a support band opening 20 such
that part of the end portion extends out the top of the support
band opening 20. The support band openings 20 are configured to
allow the support band to slide through the support band openings.
Typically, the support band openings 20 are generally circular
(e.g., cylindrical), thereby facilitating their receipt of a
support band, the body of which is typically substantially
cylindrical.
[0024] It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the
art that a support band may include any ligature-type elongated
object. The disclosure is not limited to support bands configured
to support a leg or other limb. For example, the adjustable cinch
clip 10 according to the present disclosure may be configured to
receive a rope, such as a marine rope located on a vessel or boat
dock. In other words, the adjustable cinch clip may be used as a
tie down (e.g., a cleat).
[0025] The clip unit 10 also defines a pinching channel 24. The
pinching channel typically is substantially adjacent to (e.g.,
within a few millimeters of) the support band opening 20. The
pinching channel 24 is configured for frictionally securing the
support band to the clip unit 10. Typically, the pinching channel
25 is a v-channel (e.g., v-groove). To secure a support band to the
adjustable cinch clip 10, the support band portion extending from,
for example, the top of the support band opening is pulled into the
pinching channel 25. The pinching channel 24 is of a sufficient
size (e.g., having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the
support band) to restrict the movement of the support band when the
support band is forced into (e.g., squeezed inside) the pinching
channel 24. The resulting compression force exerted by the pinching
channel 24 on the support band portion within the pinching channel
24 prevents the support band portion from slidably dislodging from
the adjustable cinch clip 10.
[0026] In one embodiment, the clip unit 10 defines a support band
slot 22. The support band slot 22 is configured for receiving an
end portion of the support band. For example, the free end portion
(e.g., the end portion that is not connected to any other object)
can be inserted into the support band slot 22. Inserting the free
end portion into the support band slot 22 facilitates maintaining
the support band within the pinching channel 24. In other words, to
help prevent the free end portion of the support band from becoming
dislodged from the pinching channel, the free end portion of the
support band may be inserted into the support band slot 22. The
support band slot 22 may be generally cylindrical thereby
facilitating the receipt (e.g., insertion) of a portion of the
support band.
[0027] In one embodiment, the support band opening 20 is
substantially parallel to the support band slot 22. In this way,
when a support band is inserted into the support band opening 20 in
a first direction, the end of the support band can be pulled in an
opposite, second direction, thereby facilitating the insertion of
the support band into the pinching channel 24 and into the support
band slot 22.
[0028] In this way the pinching channel 25 allows a user (or
someone assisting the user) to adjust the length of the supporting
portion of the support band. The supporting portion is that portion
of the support band which extends from the bottom of the cinch clip
10 to connector 36. To shorten the length of the supporting portion
of the support band, the user pulls the support band upwardly
through the support band openings 20. To secure the support band at
the desired position (e.g., with the desired supporting portion
length), the user inserts an end portion of the supporting band
into a pinching channel 24. The resulting friction lock secures
prevents the support band from sliding out through the bottom of
the cinch clip 10. Typically, the support band forms a loop, with
each end portion of the support band being positioned through a
support band opening 20 and secured in place by inserting the end
portion of the support band into a pinching channel 24.
[0029] Typically, the support band openings 20 have a length (e.g.,
vertical height) that is greater than the length of the support
band slots 22. In general, the length of the support band slots 22
is less than about seventy-five percent (e.g, between about forty
percent and about seventy percent) of the length of the support
band openings 20. The shorter height of the support band slots 22
facilitates the positioning of the support band end portions into
the pinching channels 24 after passing them through the support
band openings 20.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the present disclosure also embraces an
adjustable support apparatus 30 for a leg. The adjustable support
apparatus 30 includes an adjustable belt 32. The adjustable belt 32
is configured for positioning (e.g., wearing) around the waist of a
user. The adjustable support apparatus 30 also includes a clip unit
12 as described above. The adjustable belt 32 is attached to the
clip unit 12.
[0031] The adjustable support unit also includes a support band 34.
The support band 34 is adjustably connected to the clip unit 12.
Typically, the support band 34 is a single, elongated band
positioned with each end portion attached to the clip unit 12,
thereby forming a loop extending downwardly (e.g., toward a user's
leg when the apparatus is positioned on a user). The support band
34 may be formed of more than one constituent bands, however.
Typically, the support band 34 is comprised of an elastic material
(e.g., rubber, latex, etc.). This allows the support band 34 to
stretch upon the application of a force to the support band 34, and
then return to its original shape. The elastic nature of the
support band 34 advantageously allows for a user to extend the
injured, supported leg while meeting resistance generated by the
resisting force of the support band 34. This affords the adjustable
support apparatus 30 of the present disclosure the dual
functionality of providing support and providing the capacity for
resistance training to help strengthen the injured limb during the
rehabilitation process.
[0032] The adjustable support apparatus also includes a connector
36. The connector 36 is attached to the support band 34. The
connector 36 is configured for connecting the support band to the
user's leg or other object to be supported by the adjustable
support apparatus. The connector may include 36 a strap for
positioning around a user's leg or other object to be supported.
The connector may include a ring for allowing the strap to rotate
in relation to the support band 34. The connector 36 may also
include a ring for connecting to a walking boot or similar
immobilizing device. The connector 36 may also include a brace,
cast, walking boot, or other supporting or immobilizing device for
positioning about a users leg.
[0033] In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of
the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not
limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are
not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific
terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for
purposes of limitation.
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